Re: Where do you see OKC in 10 years?
This is a great topic, especially considering where we've come. OKC was once in the same light as it is today, back in the 1950s-1960s - it was a regional powerhouse. In the 1970s and especially 1980s, we had way too much ultra conservatism that was a by-product of big business and oil companies - and these people cared nothing about the city, only their pockets. Especially with the decline of the oil industry and the associated OKC banks - Oklahoma City collapsed and let Tulsa move ahead.
In the early 1990s we said, enough is enough - and we had leadership with a vision and business support who believed in the community - and everyone knew OKC had potential. We tested the waters in the late 1990's with our new venues and it proved successful in the early 2000's (ie MAPS).
Now in the late 2000s, OKC is once again the regional powerhouse (not equal to Dallas, but certainly a worthy contender for various sectors such that OKC is definitely 2nd only to Dallas in the region).
I see a new boom taking place beginning next year - as many of the 2000 projects get complete and people move into downtown; I see downtown having 8000 residents by 2010 (up from 3000 in 2000). The next wave of developments will focus on community and building up Oklahoma City in the inner ring.
I see TONS of gentrification projects - due to the excitement of downtown. Sure, downtown will continue to grow and Midtown, AAlley, and Triangle will be the hotspot areas to live, work, and play - but there are people who want to be close to the excitement but don't want to live there. In 10 years, I see downtown with residential Mid and High rises (esp in C2S, Triangle, and West downtown), about 15 hotels (up from 9 today that are either built or approved) with at least one being above the current largest room count 600+ rooms.
I see the new convention centre opened, it includes a new 12,000 seat arena that is more luxurious than Cox but still more economical than Ford Center which is located across the new boulevard. (and I-40 moved with a compromise NOT TO knock out the Union Station railyard = because I see Union Station being the new intermodal station, beginning in 2010; starting with two commuter rail lines). Ford Center and the new Convention Centre create a Gateway, where retail and urban shoppes line the new boulevard and climax at the two buildings.
I see Devon complete in 2010 and new skyscrapers 10 years from now. Cox Convention Center is being torn down and the land reclaimed to expand the CBD. I see a new theatre/performing arts centre in downtown and Oklahoma City finally has an Opera company.
In 10 years, the NBA's Oklahoma City Barons has won 4 Western division championships and 2 NBA titles, and the biggest rivalry games are with Dallas (of course), Houston, and the new Seattle Supersonics (created from the absorbing of the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies).
In 10 years, OU is still a top 5 football team - Gaylord Memorial Stadium has been expanded to now be over 100,000 seats, with at least two sections with the finest amenities you'd see in an NFL stadium. Oklahoma City University is back in the NCAA, and they play their home games in the new Convention Centre arena.
In 10 years, I see Oklahoma City at 750,000 residents (up from 600K in 2010) and 2.0M residents in the CSA (up from 1.4 in 2010). The state population is 4.5M up from 3.7M in 2010. Norman finally breaks 200K for #2 in the metro, and Edmond has 175K. It is evident that people are moving back to Oklahoma City from previously attractive areas [Dallas, Houston, California, Arizona, Florida]. (just for kicks, Tulsa hits 450K/1M CSA 10 years from now).
In 10 years, Nichols Hills Plaza is the top end shopping destination in the state, followed by the Oklahoma City town centre in the Triangle district. 50 Penn Place has been redeveloped into a true high-end galleria mall. Crossroads Mall got it's act together and regained it's title as the states largest Mall-based trade area. In 10 years, Crossroads, Penn Sq, and Quail all have upscale additions (with their own external access); as well as anchor stores that are not duplicated in the city [this allows all of the malls to be competitive since people would have to shop around]. Crossroads was saved in 2010 when the Park N Ride was constructed (and new management invested and upgraded the facilities - anchors returned). Downtown OKC had received shoppes scattered throughout beginning in 2009, and beginning in 2014 when the new boulevard was created - new stores have been moving in making downtown the top shopping/trade destination in the state. In ten years, major shopping can be found in every suburb with the largest being in Norman, MWC, and Edmond. In 10 years OKC has 3 outlet malls - all of them upscale (or have an upscale component).
Arena Football league returns to Oklahoma City, this time for real; and Oklahoma City has an MLS franchise which plays in Edmond. The NHL is looking to locate to OKC and the NFL is seriously considering as well due to the 'can do' attitude - if OKC builds a stadium (which in 2014 was first proposed for Maps 4).
Coincidentally, MAPS 3 brought in the new downtown Streetcar in 2012 and with the help of ACOG and the state/feds; in 2010 Oklahoma City has commuter rail based out of Union Station (now a multimodal facility). It started with one line from downtown to Norman, then another line to Guthrie was added, then a line East to Midwest City and Choctaw, then most recently El Reno and Yukon were added.
MAPS 3 brought a new focus on pedestrianizing Oklahoma City (through sidewalks and energy efficient streetlighting all over the city), beautification (through tree planting programs [which corporations matched], and public art/statues (at prominent areas of town/traffic circles). Ten years from now, these projects are now mature and a 'living' part of the fabric that is Oklahoma City.
Asia District ten years from now has a tourist area and is a heritage Chinatown district. The densification efforts which began in 2004 have begun to pay off - and with the massive influx of immigrant and former immigrants from other us cities, the district is one of the top in the nation. Oklahoma City University has reclaimed all of the slum to the north of it and now has a very sizable campus complete with most degree programs - there's talk about a football team/stadium.
WRWA built the East Concourse in 2012 since a new jet fuel technology and 'interest' allowed OKC to become a focus city. Back then, WRWA had 250 flights a day (up from 200 in 2008); ten years from now WRWA has 400 flights a day, complete with non-stops to Vancouver and Toronto, Mexico City, and San Juan PR in addition to at least one weekly flight to all of the top 40 air markets.
This interest was seeded by the city actively seeking corporate relocations; some of whom did relocate but almost all companies contacted at least opened an office in OKC. This has allowed OKC to further diversity and significantly increase it's employment base (which further explains the population/air traffic increases). In 10 years, Oklahoma City has 6 Fortune 500 companies hq and 20 Fortune 1000 hq in its metro (most of them in downtown Oklahoma City or the NW business district).
This interest and pro-business can do attitude has also landed Oklahoma City a major manufacturing facility; becuase in 2010 Boeing announced they OKC will be the location for final assembly of the 737 replacement aircraft. This plane is based on the now widely successful 787 Dreamliner and in 10 years the plant, located at Wiley Post airport, has been busy chugging out the new 797's (as their known).
The Oklahoma Health Center rivals the top in the nation, 2nd in the Southwest ONLY to the Texas Medical Center in Houston. OHC has expanded the Bio/Research facility to rival those in the Triangle area of North Carolina and Boston. In ten years, Oklahoma City has significanly increased per capita income levels and since 2010 the local economy has significantly reinvigurated the city.
OK, I'll stop there - I could keep going tho. lol.
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
Originally Posted by RabidRed
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